§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he plans to improve the opportunities for(a) members of the House and (b) members of the public to become members of task forces and other ad hoc and review bodies; [58004]
(2) what the membership is of task forces and other ad hoc advisory and review bodies broken down into (a) public servants, (b) members of the House of Commons, (c) members of the Houses of Lords, (d) representatives of business, (e) representatives of trade unions, (f) representatives of consumers, (g) representatives of the voluntary sector, (h) representatives of local government and (i) volunteers for public appointments on the list maintained by the Cabinet Office; [58003]
(3) if he plans to (a) increase public knowledge of task forces and other ad hoc and review bodies, with particular reference to when they are first appointed, and (b) invite greater contributions from the general public to their work. [58005]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Cabinet Office's annual report on task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews was produced in October 2001 and a copy is in the Library.
289W The report contains details of the date of establishment of each body, as well as the membership of each, broken down into Ministers, civil servants, wider public servants, volunteers or charity workers and others, including private sector members. Information on the numbers of members who are Lords, representatives of trade unions and representatives of consumers specifically is not recorded. There is no restriction on Members of Parliament or members of the public being appointed to a task force, ad hoc advisory body or review, subject to any actual or perceived conflict of interest.
Task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews are, by their nature, created to provide advice on a particular subject or subject area. However, in order to carry out their functions, their memberships will consist of those best able because of their position, knowledge or experience, or best qualified to contribute. Individual Departments are responsible for announcing, setting up and organising the membership of these bodies as required.
The Government remain committed to increasing the involvement of people and groups in public consultations, which play an important part in improving the way new policies are developed and how new services are provided. The Code of Practice on written consultation published by Cabinet Office sets out new standards for consultation documents issued by the Government aimed at making it easier for people to put their views forward to ensure a wider range of views is heard in making decisions.